Plans and procedures

We're responsible for ensuring that integrated plans for coping with emergencies and major incidents are coordinated, developed and tested by the relevant agencies, including police, ambulance and fire and rescue.

When a major incident occurs that's beyond the capacity of the emergency services to deal with unaided, our major incident response plans are put into action. These plans and procedures are designed to ensure that:

Preparation and planning has been undertaken prior to any major incident

The emergency services have the necessary support during the incident

The return to normality is carried out as quickly and efficiently as possible

There's a speedy response by all parties

The necessary skills and resources are deployed

There's a resumption of normal services

This is achieved through close coordination between the Emergency Planning Unit and agencies in plan preparation, staff training and devising and running exercises designed to reinforce training and to validate agreed procedures.

We also hold national plans, procedures and schemes relating to a wide range of possible or potential incidents.

Please note that all our emergency plans are undergoing a review due to ongoing reorganisation. Where plans haven't been published on this website, copies can be requested by contacting us using the details on this page.